Improvement in traction-engines



"2 Sheets Sheet 1. F. L. F A CHILD.

Tracti ngine.

No. 217,787. Patented J y 22 1879.

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F. L. FAIROHILD. Traction-Engine.

No. 217,787. Patented July 22,1879.

Mnesses: Inventor;

' 6 Frank L Jf'axkcL'Za y W1 M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK L.FAIRCHILD, OF MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRACTION-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2] 7,787, dated July22, 1879; application filed May 24, 1879.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. FAIRCHILD, of Mount Vernon, in the countyof Knox and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Traction-Engines, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to that kind of lame tion-engine in which steam andanimal power may be used interchangeably or simultaneously and togetherto move the engine, theengine being adapted to be drawn by the animalsthat guide it, and the steam-power being used to supplement, if need be,the power of the team, and being susceptible of being turned on or off,while the machine continues in motion, without requiring the use oflevers, or like instrumentalities, operated by hand, to throw the engineinto and out of gear with the truck or driving wheels.

My invention has reference to the means used to provide forslip-motionthat is to say, means whereby the power-driven truck-wheelscan, when necessary, rotate independent-1y of the driving mechanism ofthe engine, and also of one another. For this purpose 1 propose to makeuse of an automatic-clutch arrangement, which I shall now proceed todescribe by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 isa side elevation of a tractionengine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2is a central vertical section through one of the truck-wheels and itssupporting spindle or axle. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the inner face ofthe wheel. Fig. 4 is a plan of the part of the clutch carried by thewheel. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 6 is a side view of thepart of the clutch carried by the axle or spindle. Fig. 7 is anisometric View of the part of the clutch carried by the wheel.

The engine which, in Fig. 1, is shown in illustration of my invention isone in which the engine-shaft A is connected to the revolving rear axle,B, by an inclined shaft, O, geared at one end directly to theengine-shaft, and at the other end directly to the axle. It will beunderstood, however, that my invention is applicable not only to thisarrangement of gearing, but to other arrangements, my device beingintended to take the place of the usual pawl-and-ratchet arrangement, orother device for the same purpose, wherever that may be located.

1n the present instance the rear truck-wheels, D, are mounted loosely onthe revolving axle B. The hub of each wheel is cored or recessed on theinner face-that is to say, the face next to the boiler-to form a properreceptacle for the annular piece E, which constitutes one part of theclutch, and is provided on its exposed face with a series of inclinedteeth, as shown. To prevent the clutch-piece from rotating independentlyof the wheel, it is provided with suitable projections to entercorresponding sockets in the hub, the projections, in this instance,being the radial tongues a, which enter mortises or grooves in thewheel-hub. The position which the clutch-piece E occupies in the hub isindicated clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. It is outwardly pressed by means ofone or more springs, I), under compression between the hub and the backof the clutch-piece, and seated in suitable sockets b in the hub. Aretaining-flange or retaining-fingers, 0, limit the extent to which theclutch can be projected from the hub by the springs. To act inconjunction with the piece E, I mount upon the spindle or axle B acorresponding clutch-piece, F, which is fixed to the axle, and normallyoccupies a position in which the part E will press up again st andengage it. The edge of the part F when thus placed comes within the hub,or within a flange laterally projecting therefrom, and thus the parts ofthe clutch are effectually housed and shielded. In order to allow thetwo parts of the clutch to be separated from contact with oneanother-when, for instance, the engine is moved by animal-power alone-Iattach to or form in one piece with the clutchpiece F a sleeve, G, whichis provided with one or more longitudinal grooves to receive one or moresplines, e, which project from the axle, and are also provided withset-screws f. By reason of the spline-and-groove arrangement theclutch-piece F can thus slide longitudinally of the axle,and can be heldtightly by the set-screw in any desired position of ad justment thereon.There is sufficient space left between the clutch and the gear H on theaxle (which, in this instance, is engaged by the inclined shaft G) topermit the movement of the'clutoh-piece F necessary to separate it fromits fellow piece in the hub. When the two parts are separated theretaining flange or fingers c prevent the clutch-piece E from beingprojected from its socket or thrown out of place.

Having described my improvement, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

In a traction-engine of the kind described, the automatic-clutchmechanism herein specified, the one part mounted in the hub of itswheel, and outwardly pressed by a spring or springs, the other partmounted on the axle or supporting-journal of the wheel, and adjustableto and from the hub part, the whole arranged and operating as set forth.

In testimony WllGlBOfI have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of April,1879.

FRANK L. FAIROHILD. Witnesses:

M. BAILY, M. GEORGIO.

